CN115697506A - Game device - Google Patents

Abstract

A portable gaming device includes an electronic device (101) including a processor configured to run application software. The game device also includes a cover (701), which can be stored in combination with the electronic device and can be connected or separated from the electronic device. The cover includes an input device (702) including a touch-sensitive device configured to measure the location and magnitude of the applied force. The touch-sensitive device is also configured to provide an input signal to application software in response to such applied force.

Description

gaming equipment

Cross References to Related Applications

This application claims priority to United Kingdom Patent Application No. GB 20 05 910.1 filed 26 March 2020, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.

technical field

The present invention relates to a portable game device and its cover.

Background technique

Electronic devices including smartphones, tablets and other portable handheld computers are present with increasing frequency in modern society. Many users utilize these devices to play games, which are usually provided by electronic applications (referred to as applications) installed on the associated electronic devices.

However, unlike peripheral controllers provided by conventional game consoles or personal computers, these portable electronic devices do not provide an operation method consistent with conventional gaming consoles, but usually control the game through input from the touch screen of the electronic device.

Devices that mimic traditional gaming consoles have been proposed, but these often lack the typical features of smartphones. In fact, existing smartphones often do not have the capability to incorporate suitable input devices, and, where they exist, these devices tend to be bulky and bulky, making them difficult to carry. Additionally, peripherals are equipped with their own power supplies, which adds weight and reduces portability.

The invention described herein aims to ameliorate these problems while enhancing the user's gaming experience with their smartphones or other similar electronic devices, which are often used for more than just gaming.

Contents of the invention

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a portable game device, comprising: an electronic device including a processor configured to run application software; and a cover configured to be stored in combination with the electronic device, the cover connectable and detachable from the electronic device; wherein the cover includes an input device comprising a touch-sensitive device configured to measure the location and magnitude of the applied force, and the touch-sensitive device is further configured to An input signal is provided to the application software in response to the applied force.

According to the second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a cover for use with electronic equipment in games, the cover can be stored in combination with the electronic equipment, and can be connected and separated from the electronic equipment, the cover comprising: an input device comprising a touch-sensitive device configured to measure the location and magnitude of an applied force; wherein: the touch-sensitive device is further configured to respond to the applied force to the electronic device The application software provides the input signal.

Embodiments of the present invention will be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings. The detailed examples illustrate the best modes known to the inventors and provide support for the invention as claimed. However, they are examples only and should not be used to interpret or limit the scope of the claims. Their purpose is to provide teaching to those skilled in the art. Components and processes distinguished by sequential phrases (eg, "first" and "second") do not necessarily define any type of order or ranking.

Description of drawings

Figure 1 shows a user using a conventional mobile phone or smart phone for the portable gaming device of the present invention;

Fig. 2 shows the cover of the portable gaming device according to the present invention;

Figure 3 shows a schematic diagram of a touch-sensitive device forming part of the cover of Figure 2;

Figure 4 shows a schematic diagram of a portable gaming device including an electronic device and a cover;

Figure 5 shows a first embodiment of a cover for use with an electronic device to form a portable gaming device;

Figure 6 shows another embodiment of a cover combined with an electronic device to form a portable gaming device;

Figure 7 shows another cover combined with an electronic device to form a portable gaming device; and

Figure 8 shows the embodiment of Figure 7 with the cover providing protection for the electronic device and its touch screen.

Detailed ways

figure 1

A user 102 is using an electronic device 101 in the form of a mobile phone. In the illustrated embodiment, user 102 may operate application software installed on electronic device 101 through one or more suitable input devices forming part of electronic device 101 .

In this embodiment, the electronic device 101 includes a mobile phone or a smart phone. However, it should be understood that in other embodiments, the electronic device 101 may be any suitable electronic device, preferably a device with certain portability, such as a handheld personal computer or a tablet computer.

In this embodiment, the electronic device 101 is provided with a touch screen 103 on which a user 102 applies force or presses with a finger to operate the device. The electronic device 101 may also include other input devices, such as buttons for operating the electronic device 101 .

When using application software for games, input is usually performed through the touch screen 103 in conventional smartphones. Such input provides a response that, for example, can move items on the screen, select an item, activate an item, or otherwise affect the game. However, in some games, this can result in a less tactile or intuitive response than that provided by consoles that typically include manual buttons. The portable game device of the present invention aims to provide a cover integrated with an electronic device to solve these problems.

figure 2

The portable gaming device of the present invention comprises an electronic device such as a mobile phone 101 and a device in the form of a cover 201 as shown in FIG. 2 .

或苹果

等传统操作系统的传统智能手机。在图2中，盖201被示为与电子设备101分离。An embodiment of the present invention provides a cover 201 configured to be connectable and detachable from the electronic device 101 . The type of electronic device 101 is not the most important, it should be understood that the electronic device 101 may run such as

or apple

Traditional smartphones with traditional operating systems. In FIG. 2 , cover 201 is shown separated from electronic device 101 .

In this embodiment, cover 201 includes at least one input device. In this embodiment, the cover 201 includes an input device including a touch screen 202 . Cover 201 also includes a number of input devices 203 and 204 in the form of a number of analog buttons. It should be understood that any number of analog buttons may be provided on cover 201 and may be arranged in any suitable arrangement or format. In this embodiment, the plurality of buttons of the input device 203 is four in number and arranged in a pattern suitable for providing game input. Similarly, the plurality of buttons of the input device 204 also number four and are arranged in a substantially similar pattern or arrangement.

In this embodiment, the input device comprises a touch sensitive device. In this embodiment, the touch-sensitive device forms part of the touch screen 202 . In an exemplary embodiment, each of the plurality of simulated buttons further provides a touch sensitive device. An example of a touch-sensitive device will be described below with reference to FIG. 3 .

By providing this type of removable gaming-friendly cover, both analog input and touch-sensitive capabilities are provided to the electronic device for improved tactility during gaming, even when using a traditional smartphone. Since the cover is configured to be detachable, the cover is flexible in use and the user can remove the cover if not needed.

image 3

In one embodiment, a touch sensitive device forming part of the touch screen 202 and/or any of the plurality of simulated buttons 203 or 204 is shown in schematic exploded form in FIG. 3 .

The touch-sensitive device 301 includes a first conductive layer 302 and a second conductive layer 303 . The pressure sensing layer 304 is located between the conductive layer 302 and the conductive layer 304 .

In one embodiment, the first conductive layer 302 , the second conductive layer 303 and the pressure sensing layer 304 are sequentially printed as ink onto the substrate to form a suitable touch-sensitive device 301 .

的类型。该压敏材料包括量子隧穿复合材料，其被配置为基于施加的力的变化而表现出电阻的变化。量子隧穿复合材料可以如所指示的那样作为可印刷油墨或以膜的形式提供。In this embodiment, the conductive layers 302 and 303 may comprise carbon-based materials and/or silver-based materials, and the pressure-sensing layer 304 comprises pressure-sensitive materials such as those provided by the applicant Peratech Holdco Limited under the trademark

type. The pressure sensitive material includes a quantum tunneling composite configured to exhibit a change in electrical resistance based on a change in applied force. The quantum tunneling composite can be provided as a printable ink or in film form as indicated.

In use, the conductive layers 302 and 303 may be in intimate contact with the pressure sensing layer 304 without being activated. However, upon application of a force, indicated by arrow 305, conductive layers 302 and 303 come into contact with pressure sensing layer 304, such that the applied voltage results in a conductive path through the layers. When the applied force changes, the electrical resistance of the quantum tunneling composite changes, and by manipulating the electrical resistance the magnitude of the applied force can be determined.

In addition, the conductive layers 302 and 303 can be printed in the form of a sensing array and thus can also be utilized to measure the position of an applied force on the array in a conventional manner.

In this way, touch sensitive elements simulating buttons and/or touch screens of the cover provide greater flexibility in input and response. This can advantageously provide more useful output in gaming applications.

Figure 4

As shown in the block diagram of FIG. 4 , in use, the cover 201 is configured to communicate with the electronic device 101 .

In this embodiment, an electronic device 101 such as a conventional smartphone or similar device includes a processor 401 configured to run application software, which may include any type of game software. It should be understood that the processor 401 is also configured to provide any necessary operations to the electronic device 101 in a substantially conventional manner, which may include operating other application software than gaming software, such as telephony software, email software, or other types of Software typically included on this type of electronic device.

The electronic device 101 also includes a power supply 402 configured to provide power to the electronic device 101 . Typically, the power source includes a battery, which may or may not be removable from the device. In one embodiment, the battery is a built-in rechargeable battery, however it should be understood that other power sources may also be provided.

The electronic device 101 also includes a wireless module 403 configured to transmit and receive wireless signals to the cover 201 .

The cover 201 includes a touch sensitive device 404, which may include a force sensitive touch sensor configured to measure the location of the applied force and the magnitude of the applied force. The cover 201 also includes a processor 405 capable of calculating the location and magnitude of the applied force as described in FIG. 3 .

The cover 201 also includes a second wireless module 406 configured to transmit and receive signals to the electronic device 101 .

In this embodiment, the cover 201 of the present invention is mechanically and physically connected to the electronic device 101 . However, an electrical connection 407 is wirelessly formed between the cover 201 and the electronic device 101 through the wireless modules 403 and 406 . This allows the cover 201 to be detached from the electronic device 101 when necessary, which allows greater flexibility in the user's gaming experience.

To reduce complexity and weight, and to improve packaging, cover 201 typically does not include its own power supply. In this embodiment, the power supply 402 of the electronic device 101 includes a reverse wireless charger for powering the cover 201 and its touch-sensitive devices. This advantageously avoids the need to charge the lid 201 separately and means that the lid can be easily charged when there are no other electrical supply outlets.

无线技术标准，使得电子设备101和盖201被配置为通过无线连接407彼此通信。In one embodiment, wireless modules 403 and 406 support commercially available

A wireless technology standard such that the electronic device 101 and cover 201 are configured to communicate with each other via a wireless connection 407 .

Figure 5

Fig. 5 shows an exploded view of a first embodiment of an electronic device and a cover according to the invention.

Cover 501 is substantially similar to previously described cover 201 and may include any of the previously identified features and any variations.

In this embodiment, the cover 501 is configured to be attached to the rear panel 502 of the electronic device 101 . In this embodiment, cover 401 is mounted on rear panel 502 to enable a user to provide additional functionality on the rear surface of electronic device 101 .

The cover 501 is configured to slide under the rear panel 501 and into place by the connection mechanism 504 in the direction of arrow 503 . Attachment mechanism 504 includes a clamping mechanism that allows electronic device 101 to be slid onto cover 501 and clamped or snapped into place.

In this embodiment, cover 501 includes a plurality of analog input devices 505 in the form of analog buttons. In this embodiment, cover 501 includes eight analog buttons 505, as shown, with two disposed on each edge surface 506 of cover 501 . It will be appreciated that while only four of these analog buttons are visible in Figure 5, substantially similar analog buttons are located on two of the obscured edge surfaces in the figure. In one embodiment, the simulated button 505 comprises a touch-sensitive device as shown in FIG. 3 . In this way, the user gains force sensitivity when manipulating the side surfaces of the cover.

In this embodiment, the cover 501 also includes a touch sensitive device 507 in the form of a force sensitive touchpad. A substantially similar touch-sensitive device is further positioned on the bottom surface 508 of the cover 501 in a substantially similar manner to enable a user to operate the cover 501 from the bottom surface.

When the cover 501 is connected to the electronic device 101, the solution provides a fusion of the functionality of a traditional smartphone with a portable game console, which advantageously allows a single electronic device to function as a typical smartphone for calls, text messages, emails, and other communication methods. function, but also as a portable gaming device.

Figure 6

Another embodiment of the portable gaming device according to the present invention is shown in FIG. 6 . In this embodiment, the cover 601 includes a flip-type cover configured to be connectable and detachable from the electronic device 101 .

In this embodiment, cover 601 includes at least one input device. In this embodiment, the input device included by the cover 601 includes a touch screen 602 . The cover 601 also includes a plurality of input devices 603 and 604 in the form of a plurality of analog buttons. It should be understood that any number of analog buttons may be provided on cover 601 and may be arranged in any suitable arrangement or format. In this embodiment, the plurality of input devices 603 and 604 are substantially similar to those previously described in FIG. 2 and are arranged in a substantially similar manner.

In this embodiment, the input device comprises a touch sensitive device. In this embodiment, the touch-sensitive device forms part of the touch screen 602 . In this embodiment, each of the plurality of analog buttons may also be provided with a touch sensitive device.

In this embodiment, the input device also includes two joysticks 605, which can also be used to provide user input. It should be understood that any combination of input devices may be utilized in accordance with the present invention as may be desired with respect to a particular application, and that the examples shown are merely examples.

In this embodiment, the cover 601 can be attached and detached from the side surface 606 of the electronic device 101 . For convenient implementation, the cover 601 includes a connecting mechanism 607 in the form of a hinge. In this embodiment, the attachment mechanism 607 may be adjustable so that the cover 601 can be locked in a position at a specific angle.

The connection mechanism 607 allows the lid 601 to hinge on the side surface 606 via the axis of rotation 608 . This part will be further explained with reference to FIGS. 7 and 8 .

When the cover 601 is connected to the electronic device 101, the touch sensitive device of the touch screen 602 provides dual screen capability for the portable gaming device. Thanks to the detachability of the cover, additional screens can be attached and removed as required. In this embodiment, the touch screen includes a display incorporated into cover 601 that can display information from application software. The problem with connectable displays in traditional systems is that they are often only used as information displays rather than interactive displays with touch-sensitive capabilities. Therefore, this improves the user's gaming experience.

Figure 7

Fig. 7 shows another embodiment of a cover 701 in a perspective view. Cover 701 includes a connection mechanism substantially similar to the embodiment of cover 601 in FIG. 6 . It will be appreciated that while there are some differences in the embodiments of cover 601 and cover 701 , in this case the general concept of each cover is substantially similar, particularly with regard to the connection mechanism.

Thus, FIG. 7 shows a portable gaming device according to the invention, comprising an electronic device 101 and a cover 701 . In this embodiment, the cover 701 includes a flip-type cover configured to be attached to and detached from the electronic device 101 shown in the figure and configured to be able to cover the front and rear of the electronic device 101 .

In this embodiment, cover 701 includes at least one input device. In this embodiment, the input device included by the cover 701 includes a touch screen 702 . The cover 701 also includes a plurality of input devices 703 and 704 in the form of a plurality of analog buttons. The cover 701 also includes a plurality of simulation buttons 705 , wherein two simulation buttons are provided on each side surface 706 of the cover 701 . In this embodiment, the touch screen 702 includes a touch-sensitive device, and each simulated button also includes a touch-sensitive device to increase the functionality of the button.

In this embodiment, the cover 701 further includes a connecting mechanism 707, which includes a hinge, as mentioned above, which allows the cover 701 to be hinged on the side surface of the electronic device 101 through a rotation axis. In this embodiment, the hinge of the connection mechanism 707 is adjustable and configured to lock the lid 701 at a predetermined angle (eg, angle 708). Thus, in the illustrated embodiment, the cover 701 and electronic device 101 are arranged in such a way that the display of the electronic device 101 is easily visible, and the buttons and touch screen or touchpad of the cover 701 are easily accessible for use during gaming. in operation. This arrangement is comparable to a conventional electronic notebook arrangement.

Figure 8

In addition to the arrangement shown in FIG. 7, the cover 701 and the electronic device 101 can be rotated relative to each other and brought together so that when the cover 701 does not need to be used as an input device in a portable gaming device, the cover 701 can be used as an input device. The electronic device 101, especially its touch screen, is protected in a manner as shown in FIG. 8 .

Thus, in this arrangement, flip 701 is in a closed configuration with electronic device 101 and remains connected to electronic device 101 . Thus, for storage purposes, a user may rotate the device along the axis of rotation and about hinge 707 to achieve the closed configuration.

In this way, if desired by the user, the cover 701 can be left with the electronic device 101 when not in use. Thus, the cover 701 serves the dual function of providing both a cover and an input device or controller for gaming purposes.

Claims (15)

1. A portable gaming device, comprising: Electronic devices, including processors configured to run application software; and a cover configured to be stored in combination with the electronic device, and the cover can be connected and separated from the electronic device; wherein the cover includes an input device comprising a touch-sensitive device configured to measure the location and magnitude of the applied force, and The touch-sensitive device is further configured to provide an input signal to the application software in response to the applied force. 2. The portable game device according to claim 1, wherein the cover is attachable and detachable from a rear surface of the electronic device. 3. The portable game device according to claim 1, wherein the cover is attachable and detachable to a side surface of the electronic device, and is configured to be hinged on the side surface by a rotation shaft. 4. A portable gaming device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the cover is powered by a power source provided by the electronic device. 5. The portable gaming device of claim 4, wherein the power source comprises a reverse wireless charger. 6. A portable gaming device according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the input device further comprises at least one simulated button. 7. A portable gaming device according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the input device comprises a touch screen. 8. A portable gaming device according to any preceding claim, wherein the cover includes a display. 9. A portable gaming device according to any preceding claim, wherein the touch sensitive device comprises a force sensitive touch sensor. 10. The portable gaming device of claim 9, wherein the force sensitive touch sensor comprises a quantum tunneling material. 11. A portable gaming device according to any preceding claim, wherein the cover includes connection means for connecting the cover to the electronic device. 12. The portable gaming device of claim 11, wherein the attachment mechanism includes a clip mechanism configured to clip the cover to the electronic device. 13. A portable gaming device according to any preceding claim, wherein the cover further comprises an adjustable hinge configured to lock the cover at a predetermined angle. 14. A portable gaming device according to any preceding claim, wherein the electronic device comprises any of the following: Mobile phones, smartphones, handheld PCs and tablets. 15. A cover for use with an electronic device in a game, the cover can be stored in combination with the electronic device, and can be connected and separated from the electronic device, the cover comprising: Input devices, including touch-sensitive devices configured to measure the location and magnitude of an applied force; where: The touch-sensitive device is further configured to provide an input signal to application software of the electronic device in response to the applied force.

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